In July 2023, a packed House hearing brought the subject of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) firmly into the spotlight, with lawmakers from both parties and three decorated witnesses urging the U.S. government to end decades of secrecy and confusion around unexplained aerial encounters.
The hearing, before the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, marked a new phase in America’s ongoing confrontation with reports of mysterious objects and craft in the sky; some displaying capabilities that outpace any known technology.
"Today, we are not just debating the existence of UAPs. We are deliberating on the principles that define our republic, which is a commitment to transparency and accountability." - Chairman Glenn Grothman
👀 Firsthand Accounts from the Cockpit
Ryan Graves, a former Navy F-18 pilot and director of Americans for Safe Aerospace, testified that sightings of UAPs are "not rare or isolated … they are routine."
He described encounters over the Atlantic where objects, including black cubes inside clear spheres, appeared suddenly and maneuvered in ways that defied all conventional understanding.
Graves said pilots and aircrew routinely observed these objects, often at high altitudes, sometimes stationary against hurricane-force winds, sometimes accelerating to supersonic speeds with no visible means of propulsion.
Yet despite repeated incidents, there was little official acknowledgment, and no reliable system for reporting.
"If everyone could see the sensor and video data I witnessed, our national conversation would change."
🛑 Stigma, Secrecy, and Public Safety
Graves and the other witnesses emphasized that the stigma around reporting UAPs has endangered flight safety and national security.
Commercial pilots are afraid to come forward, worried about career repercussions.
Military witnesses, too, have struggled to be taken seriously even as the Pentagon admits UAPs represent "a critical aviation safety risk."
The hearing revealed that all recent military UAP videos remain classified at the "secret" level or above, further fueling mistrust and wild speculation among the public.
🗂️ Whistleblowers and Government Cover-ups
David Grusch, a former intelligence official with the UAP Task Force, told lawmakers he became a whistleblower after learning of "multi-decade" crash retrieval and reverse engineering programs concealed from Congress.
He described retaliation against himself and other colleagues for bringing information to light and confirmed under oath that, based on credible testimony and documentation, he believes the U.S. is in possession of non-human technology.
Grusch testified that he had provided locations and information about these programs to both the Inspector General and congressional committees, and referenced physical evidence including "material acquisition and exploitation activity" that was not being shared with relevant authorities.
"Absolutely, based on interviewing over 40 witnesses over 4 years." - David Grusch, when asked if the U.S. possesses UAPs
🛩️ The Tic Tac Encounter and Advanced Maneuvers
Commander David Fravor, retired Navy squadron leader, recounted the famous 2004 "Tic Tac" incident off the coast of California.
Fravor described an object that moved "like a ping pong ball," rapidly changing direction, hovering, and then accelerating away at extraordinary speed-far beyond the reach of any U.S. or adversary technology.
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The object dropped from above 80,000 feet to sea level in seconds.
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There was no radar signature typical of known aircraft.
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Fravor and his crew observed jamming of their advanced radar system.
No formal investigation was launched at the time, and the incident was not debriefed by intelligence officials until years later.
"The Tic Tac object we engaged in 2004 was far superior to anything that we had on time, have today, or are looking to develop in the next 10 years." - Commander David Fravor
🏛️ Calls for Reporting Systems and Congressional Oversight
Lawmakers from both parties agreed that a central, stigma-free reporting system is urgently needed for both military and commercial pilots.
Witnesses called for open, transparent sharing of UAP data-not only to build public trust but to strengthen national security.
The committee pressed for answers on government programs, asked for protection of whistleblowers, and demanded that old cases (especially those older than 15 years) be declassified unless true national security risks exist.
Several members referenced past presidents and senior officials who have acknowledged sightings or expressed frustration at the lack of information, including Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama, and others.
🌐 The Broader Significance
The hearing reflected a new willingness in Congress to treat UAPs as a national security, safety, and transparency issue, rather than a fringe curiosity.
Lawmakers committed to further hearings, better data collection, and more robust oversight, recognizing that the topic is now "a major topic of global importance."
Witnesses urged Congress and the Pentagon to move past decades of secrecy, end the culture of ridicule, and acknowledge what pilots and military personnel have already seen in American skies.
